Lubricating oil reconditioning system with electrically heated platen

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for improved in-line contaminant removal from engine lubricating oil are provided which employ gravity to achieve a desired flow rate of oil. The invention is adapted for use with an existing engine oil lubrication system and continuously processes a side stream that after processing, is returned to the engine oil. During processing, the oil is first filtered and then drained and deposited upon the upper central surface portions of a heated dome whereon the oil forms a thin film from which relatively low boiling volatile impurities (especially water) are rapidly separated in a gaseous state. The gas is vented through a pressure relief valve to the manifold while the recovered reconditioned oil is collected and recycled.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lubricating oil reconditioning apparatus comprising in combination: a dome configured platen means having associated electrically actuated resistance heating means for heating said platen means;   a housing structure which generally encloses said platen means and defines in cooperation therewith a chamber that overlies said platen means;   said housing structure including cooperative interengaging means for passage of filtered oil from an input orifice defined into an upper portion of said housing structure into said housing structure for oil flow upon and over a portion of said platen means as a thin film with said platen means being heated so that gas produced from said thin film enters said chamber while oil that drains from said platen means is collected at a lower region of said chamber; and   said housing structure further including associated first conduit means for receiving said collected oil and associated second conduit means for receiving said gas from said chamber;   said housing structure having a top portion that includes both an upstanding central stud means which is axially apertured and that is threaded on at least terminal portions of outer circumferential regions, that as a circumferentially extending upraised ridge means located in radially spaced relationship to said stud means and that has a generally flattened outer surface portion;   said stud means being threadably engagable with a threaded aperture means defined in a cooperating plate member, said cooperating plate member additionally having defined therein a circumferentially extending gasket supporting region and an associated gasket means,   said gasket supporting region being in radially spaced relationship to said threaded aperture means with said gasket means being sealingly engagable with said flattened outer surface portion when said cooperating plate member is so engaged with said stud means.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flattened plate member comprises the face plate of at least one spin-on, canister-type oil filter that is so engaged, thereby to comprise a filter subassembly. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cooperating plate member is thickened and has defined therein two channel means, one said channel means communicating with said apertured stud means and extending through said cooperating plate member to a first port therein whereby oil input through said input orifice passes from said input orifice to said first port, and the second said channel means extending from within said housing to a second port in said cooperating plate member whereby filtered oil passes from said second port through said housing to said dome configured platen means. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said filter subassembly is so operably associated with said housing structure through said cooperating plate member, with first conduit means extending in functional association between said first port and said input orifice of said filter subassembly, and second conduit means extending in functional association between said second port and said output orifice of said filter subassembly. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said filter subassembly includes a pair of spin-on canister type oil filters and an associated manifold structure wherein input oil from said cooperating plate member is delivered to both said filters through said first conduit means and filtered oil from both said filters is conveyed to said cooperating plate member through said second conduit means.